Oil booms are deployed to prevent oily water in the Battleship Texas from entering the Houston Ship Channel.

Oil booms are deployed to prevent oily water in the Battleship Texas from entering the Houston Ship Channel.

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The Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

The Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

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Battleship Texas closing while repair work continues

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The fight at the Battleship Texas soon enters a second week with plans to close the ship to the public June 18 through 22.

“Saturday morning (June 9) we discovered we had a leak on board the ship. We were taking on water we wouldn’t be taking on in qualities we normally don’t take,” Andy Smith, manager of the Battleship Texas said.

It got worse on Saturday evening. More pumps were added, but the problem got worse, with water leaking into areas that are usually dry.

The water mixed with “a miniscule amount of oil” that has been on the ship since it was active more than 60 years ago.

On Monday, with water coming in at the rate of about 850 gallons per minute, contractors were brought in.

Smith said they have kept any oily water from going into the Ship Channel and increased the amount of water being pumped out of the ship.

By Friday morning, the inflow rate was estimated to be 100 gallons per minute.

A salvage and dive team is scheduled to be in the water on Saturday.

Just a month ago, the centennial of the launching of the Battleship Texas was celebrated. It later served in World War I and was the only battleship to serve in all theaters during World War II.

She has served as a museum memorial since 1948 and is now anchored at the Ship Channel as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife’s San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

Smith encouraged people to click on www.battleshiptexas.org to learn more about the ship and support it if they desire.

“We’re committed to continuing to maintain, fix and restore the battleship forever. I want my grandkids to see it…it’s that important of a piece of our shared history,” Smith said.

For now, the Battleship Texas continues her fight against time and the elements.